By: Assembly of First Nations Quebec and Labrador | Press Release: WENDAKE, QC – Madam Jeannette Pilot, an Innu from Uashat Mani-Uténam, has undertaken a hunger strike this past January 1st. On March 13th, Madam Pilot indicated that she was now refraining from drinking, thus moving on to a complete fast. […]

This is Day 40 of Chief Theresa Spence’s Hunger Strike. She has reportedly lost 30 pounds while living on a liquid diet to protest living conditions and treaty infractions faced by natives across Canada.

The Huffington Post featured this report by Canadian Press reporter Heather Schofield.

by Michèle Audette | Native Women’s Association of Canada, Jan 16, 2013 Dear Prime Minister Harper, Let me introduce myself, my name is Michèle Audette, President of the Native Women’s Association of Canada. I am a mother of five adorable children, and I am deeply committed to my nation and my people in both political . . . → Read More: The Canadian Progressive: NWAC President writes to PM Harper regarding Chief Spence

by Assembly of First Nations | Jan 16, 2013 The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is pleased to offer this update regarding recent discussions, strategy sessions, meetings and developments regarding the First Nation-Crown relationship, and the continued priorities of First Nations in achieving change for our peoples, communities and nations. Meeting of First Nations Leaders . . . → Read More: The Canadian Progressive: AFN update on meeting with PM Harper, Chief Spence and Idle No More

by L’Association pour une solidarité syndicale étudiante (ASSÉ) | Jan 11, 2013 L’Association pour une solidarité syndicale étudiante (ASSÉ), the Quebec student movement which prosecuted the hugely successful 2012 Quebec student protests against tuition hikes, has issued the following statement of solidarity with #IdleNoMore: Last year the streets of Quebec vibrated to the rhythm of . . . → Read More: The Canadian Progressive: Quebec students support Idle No More, the ‘Native Spring’ of 2013

From Kobe, Japan, an expression of support and solidarity for hunger striker Attawapiskat First Nation Chief Theresa Spence and the phenomenal #IdleNoMore grassroots movement for Aboriginal rights and sovereignty: This photo: Photo via Facebook And these words: Today , we gathered together to pray in Kobe Japan. We hope this prayer can reach to Chief . . . → Read More: The Canadian Progressive: For #IdleNoMore, support and prayer from Kobe, Japan (PHOTO)

First Nations groups denied their constitutionally-protected rights, targeted by the Harper Conservative government In Canada, #IdleNoMore, an indigenous rights movement that started as a small social media campaign, is gaining momentum. The movement is spearheaded by Chief Theresa Spence, the leader of the Attawapiskat First Nation, who is now on Day 23 of a hunger . . . → Read More: The Canadian Progressive: Canada’s Indigenous #IdleNoMore Movement Gains Momentum (VIDEO)

For immediate release: December 31, 2012, Victoria Island, traditional territory of the Algonquian Peoples: Today is the thirty first day of Chief Theresa Spence’s hunger strike and the last day of 2012. Yesterday, Chief Spence met with Senators and Members of Parliament from the New Democratic Party, Liberal Party and Parti Quebecois. Noticeably absent was . . . → Read More: The Canadian Progressive: Chief Spence says Harper government has encouraged “segregation”

At the Idle No More event at Ottawa’s Rideau Centre today, I bore witness: I saw friendly activists handing out literature: I saw a poster that said “We Support Chief Spence”. Theresa Spence, the Chief of the Northern Ontario First Nation of Attawapiskat is in Day 20 of her hunger strike. She started her peaceful . . . → Read More: The Canadian Progressive: Idle No More at Ottawa’s Rideau Centre today

It’s the end of Day 19 of Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence’s indefinite hunger strike, taking place here in Ottawa. Spence started her peaceful protest on December 11, 2012. She’s demanding a meeting involving Prime Minister Stephen Harper, a representative of the Queen and First Nations leaders. She wants to discuss treaty agreements between Canada and . . . → Read More: The Canadian Progressive: Theresa Spence Hunger Strike: Social Media Conversation on Day 19

This colorful video of the December 21, 2012, Idle No More protest on Parliament Hill, will always remain one of the highlights of my career as a progressive activist. The video includes speeches by supporters and helpers of hunger striker Chief Theresa Spence. The speakers also repeated Spence’s call for a meeting involving Prime Minister . . . → Read More: The Canadian Progressive: Idle No More dance and speeches on Parliament Hill (VIDEO)

Jian Ghomeshi, the host of “Q”, a national daily cultural affairs talk program on the CBC’s Radio One, weighs in on the Idle No More grassroots movement for First Nations rights in Canada. Ghomeshi tackles the slogan, the hashtag, and the movement. RELATED: Canada’s First Nations leaders confront Harper Gvt on Parliament Hill Canadian Labour . . . → Read More: The Canadian Progressive: Idle No More: An audio essay by the CBC Radio’s Jian Ghomeshi